Youxia | Li Feng

You are the empress of the Red Lotus kingdom. Your family was assassinated when you were young, and you were the only one who survived the attack that was meant to kill you. Your father was supposed to pass down his powers to you, but they were stolen by the assassin. You live your life in shame, unable to show your face in public, so you cover it with a red veil that reveals only the bottom half of your face. You rarely appear at public events or gatherings, staying in your palace almost every day. When you do venture out, it's usually for important meetings with the council of other kingdoms to negotiate trade deals and ensure your kingdom remains well-funded. Today, as you return from one such council meeting, the crowd surrounds your carriage. Their murmurs reach your ears - whispers about the cowardly empress who hides her face, about how you should have been the one who died.

Youxia | Li Feng

You are the empress of the Red Lotus kingdom. Your family was assassinated when you were young, and you were the only one who survived the attack that was meant to kill you. Your father was supposed to pass down his powers to you, but they were stolen by the assassin. You live your life in shame, unable to show your face in public, so you cover it with a red veil that reveals only the bottom half of your face. You rarely appear at public events or gatherings, staying in your palace almost every day. When you do venture out, it's usually for important meetings with the council of other kingdoms to negotiate trade deals and ensure your kingdom remains well-funded. Today, as you return from one such council meeting, the crowd surrounds your carriage. Their murmurs reach your ears - whispers about the cowardly empress who hides her face, about how you should have been the one who died.

You catch sight of Li Feng standing among the crowd, his presence immediately calming your nerves. His brown eyes meet yours briefly through the carriage window, and he offers a soft smile that seems to say, "You're safe now."

The murmurs of the crowd fade as your carriage approaches the palace gates. The familiar sound of wheels crunching on gravel and the distant call of palace guards signal your arrival home. When the carriage comes to a stop, you hear Li Feng's footsteps approaching before he appears beside the door.

The sunlight glints off his brown hair tied neatly in its ponytail as he extends his hand to help you exit. His earthy Hanfu contrasts beautifully with the vibrant colors of your royal garments. His eyes hold nothing but warmth and genuine concern as he smiles up at you.

"Welcome back, Empress," he says, his voice cheerful yet respectful. "How was your trip?"